Selected Intellectual Property Issues in Standardization

Martin Weiss, Department of Information Science, University of Pittsburgh , and Michael Spring, Department of Information Science, University of Pittsburgh

1/01/2005
(Original Publish Date: 1992)

This paper explores several issues related to intellectual property in the standardization process. Different intellectual property issues dominate during the three major phases in the life cycle of a standard: development, where the content of the standard is created; distribution, where documentation on the standard is shared with the vendor and user community; and implementation, where products and processes based on the standard are brought to market. Many of these issues have implications for policymakers and stakeholders. The implications are considered and the options available to policymakers and stakeholders are enumerated.